Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-23
POLICE OF BERLIN.
How the German Capital Ia
Guard ded.

Baron Won Richtoffen, president of
the Berlin police, combines in his per-
son the duties which in London are
divided between the Chief Commits
sioner of Police and the Board of
Works. He not only looks after the
safety and health of the public, but
has under his Surveillance the streets,
markets and buildings.
In relation to the Berlin municipal
ity, which by its excellent financial
management has show itself worthy
of the considerable administrative
economy which it enjoys, the presi-
dent of police exercises certain rights
of control. He represents the state in
its relations with the people in the
first instance and is the organ of the
executive power.
The municipality bears large share
of the police expenditure, paying for
the uniforms OF the Schutzleute and
providing the building in the various
localities where they are stationed.
The State provides the pay of the
men. That OF the first brigade comes
out OF the municipal funds, although
the firemen, like the Schutzleute, are
under the orders of the President of
Police. '''.
ine policemen are only employed
during the daytime. At night the
capital is confided to the care of the
watchmen, who wear distinctive
uniform, and are provided with a
whistle and saber. These men are
on duty from 10 o'clock ut night till s.
or 6 O'Clock the next morning, the
final hour varying according to the
season of the year. They number
500. The effective strength of the
police is 3 800, of which number about
so are mounted.
All the policemen are old subordi-
nate officers of the army, are of
certain standard height. They must
have passed nine years in the army,
and employment is given only to those
who have distinguished themselves
by good conduct, zeal and assiduity.
They are respected by and live on
good terms with the civil population,
although their manners occasionally
betray their military training and
is not exempt from brusqueness.
The Berliner submits by force of
habit to the injunctions Of the police
man, and on military parade days one
constable is sufficient to keep a large
number of spectators in order.
The morale of the corps is good,
because the men know that they are
supported. by both the public and the
superior authority. The latter pun
ishes all faults and negligences on the
part of the force, and protects it when
it is in the right.
In addition to this outdoor police,
which sees to the execution of laws
and regulations and maintains order
in the streets, there is a police of
safety, whose mission is to discover
the authors of crimes and misde-
meanors, and to keep strict watch
over the dangerous classes, so as to
prevent, as far as possible, the perpe-
tration OF offenses against persons and
property.
The head Of the police of safety is
Count Puckner. The agents of safety
wear ordinary civil dress, and when
they visit dangerous quarters carry a
revolver. This latter privilege has
recently been granted to them in con-
sequence OF some serious encounters
with armed criminals.
The possession of the revolver is
calculated to give the agent greater
degree OF assurance, but he is strictly
forbidden to use the weapon except in
the last extremity.
Inc district agents are specially
charged with the surveillance of da,i
ers in old clothes, pawnbrokers and
all suspected persons. having a fixed
domicile. The town is divided ior
the purposes of this department of the
force into eight districts, each OF
which is under the direction OF COM
missioner.
The division of labor, which is so
marked feature of the Berlin police
force, is carried down to the danger
GUS element.-[LoDdon Telegram.
The Ruling Passion strong.